Tathagata Roy's statement creates flutter.
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy who is known for his blunt talk on Twitter created a stir on Tuesday by virtually supporting a call for a boycott of 'everything Kashmiri' in the wake of the Pulwama attack. This is what Tathagata Roy said on Twitter,
An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don’t visit Kashmir,don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri.
— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) February 19, 2019
I am inclined to agree
Quoting a retired colonel of the Indian Army, Tathagata Roy who was a senior BJP leader in the past wrote on Twitter, " An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don’t visit Kashmir,don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri.
I am inclined to agree".
Former J&k Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti condemned the tweet and asked for Tathagata Roy's sacking for allegedly violating the constitution.
The tweet got mixed reaction on social media with several people supporting but some prominent liberals like Ramachandra Guha also attacking him. However, not bothered with all criticism, Roy backed up his tweets with series of other tweets where he cited several historical instances to press home his point.
With a retweet, Roy even lamented about the 'biased' nature of Twitter as he is yet to get verified by the social media website.
Roy's tweets come at a time when there is a heated debated in the country regarding how the Pulwama attack needs to be avenged. Also, there are reports of Kashmiris getting harassed in some parts of the country in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.
1. What did Tathagata Roy say?
)
His three tweets in this context are:
An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don’t visit Kashmir,don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri.
— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) February 19, 2019
I am inclined to agree
He then quote tweeted Major Gaurav Arya saying:
The Pakistan Army (who are handling the Kashmiri separatists) was among their own in East Pakistan in 1971. They slaughtered and raped right and left. And they would have kept EP but for the whacking from India.
— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) February 19, 2019
I am not suggesting that we go that far. But at least some distance? https://t.co/WxzEpdnw4Z
Tathagata Roy said that India doesn't need to go to the extent of what Pakistan army did, but advocated for some flexibility in operation.
2. Strong reaction from Omar Abdullah
)
As expected, Omar Abdullah gave strong reaction to Tathagata Roy's tweets.
He posted:
These are the bigots driving Kashmir over the abyss. While you are at it Tathagata why don’t you stop using our rivers to generate your electricity as well? https://t.co/BS1zAG78Xx
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 19, 2019
People like Tathagata want Kashmir but without Kashmiris. They’d sooner see us driven in to the sea. He’ll be best placed to know he can’t have one without the other so what’s it to be? https://t.co/BS1zAG78Xx
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 19, 2019
3. Tathagata Roy defends his tweet
)
Facing some sort of outrage on Twitter, Tathagata Roy posted
Vociferously violent reactions from media and several others to my ECHOING OF a suggestion from a retired army colonel. A purely NON-VIOLENT REACTION to the killing of our soldiers by the hundreds and the driving out of 3.5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits.
— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) February 19, 2019
He raised the issue of Kashmiri Pandits being driven out of the valley in his tweet.
4. Mehbooba Mufti asked for Tathagata Roy to be sacked
)
In a strongly worded tweet, former J&K CM Mehbooab Mufti said:
Deplorable statement coming from the Governor of Meghalaya. GoI must sack him immediately . If they fail to do so, it means he has their tacit approval and are using it as an election ploy to polarise the situation. https://t.co/AQE0e1akUH
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 19, 2019
